Any good paperless office software?

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Looking for something to start getting rid of the stacks of paper in my office, it's getting overwhelming.

Something like you see in those Neat-Desk ads that will assist in mass-scanning and classification of documents. I already have a decent scanner and I just need something to assist in scanning, OCR (for searching) and basic classification.

Anyone have experience with this? I'd rather not by Neat-Desk since I already have a scanner, but things are getting rather difficult these days.

Thanks,

Chris

MauleM5-235 · 09-26-2012, 12:05 PM

Don't overcomplicate this. Get a Fujitsu ScanSnap 1500 - it comes w/ Adobe software. Then just start scanning and saving. Before you start saving the files come up w/ some sort of convention for how you are going to name the files and where you are going to save them.

Every file in my ofc starts w/ the date (i.e. 2012-09-26) so we can search and/or show by date easily. Remember that the file name may also be searchable.

1990C4S · 09-26-2012, 12:16 PM

Yes, they are excellent scanners. But not cheap, IIRC.

I pay all my bill online from work, scan them using our office scanner and email them to myself.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I already have a scanner though.... No room or budget for buying another...

Joeaksa · 09-26-2012, 04:33 PM

Neatworks is well worth buying for this. We love it...

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Can it be used without their scanner?. its like $400!

Joeaksa · 09-26-2012, 05:17 PM

No, already tried that!

I found a new scanner for half that price on Amazon and thats what I use. Look around they are out there.

Its their software that is so good, it scans things then puts them in order and in directories that really make accounting work.

They do have a program where you can try one out for a month and if you do not like it they even pay for the return shipping. Give it a try and see if its for you...

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

If I could find one at that price, I would. My paper problem isn't a $400 problem yet.

Joeaksa · 09-26-2012, 07:46 PM

Give it a try for a month and see if it works for you.

If yes, then start looking for something that you can afford. Their portable scanners work just fine IMHO...

1990C4S · 09-27-2012, 05:44 AM

If you have a scanner what's the issue? I just file stuff in directories that make sense and I seem to be able to find what I need. Directories and a decent file name convention will solve 99% of your issues.

The Fujitsu is nice because it will scan to Word and then you can you google desktop to search for specific words.

Joeaksa · 09-27-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

If you have a scanner what's the issue? I just file stuff in directories that make sense and I seem to be able to find what I need. Directories and a decent file name convention will solve 99% of your issues.

The Fujitsu is nice because it will scan to Word and then you can you google desktop to search for specific words.

I felt the same way until using Neatworks. It makes life so much easier and their reports are professional enough that I no longer use our company expense form. Our bean counters love it...

LeeH · 09-27-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Neatworks is well worth buying for this. We love it...

One of my large clients had paper overload. I suggested the NeatDesk for her. She loves it.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

If you have a scanner what's the issue? I just file stuff in directories that make sense and I seem to be able to find what I need. Directories and a decent file name convention will solve 99% of your issues.

The Fujitsu is nice because it will scan to Word and then you can you google desktop to search for specific words.

Well thats just the thing. i have to scan in a lot. the scanner just names them scan001, etc, then id have to go back through and rename everything and sort into directories.